Feline Compulsive Disorders - Overview

There are many similarities between canine and feline compulsive disorders, and the neurochemical basis for these conditions is thought to be similar across a range of species, including man. For a discussion of this, please see the chapter on canine compulsive disorders.

The character of the more commonly presented feline compulsive disorders appears slightly different from those in the dog and reflects the way in which the underlying motivation of arousal and anxiety reduction thought to be common in all compulsion, is expressed in behaviour that is specific to the species or breed.

Feline compulsive behaviours are generally associated with repetitious or exaggerated self-maintenance behaviour such as grooming, sucking or self-mutilation. The exception is hyperaesthesia syndrome, in which the cat responds aggressively to what may be tactile hallucinations. The behaviour in hyperesthesia syndrome is variable between cats and it is probable that a range of different aetiologies will become apparent as this condition is better understood. Indeed, it may be found to share greater aetiological similarities with oro-facial pain syndrome (seen primarily in Burmese) and feline idiopathic cystitis.

Apart from these common compulsive disorders, cats may develop compulsive behaviour that originates in a range of other activities. For example, light spot or shadow chasing, psychogenic polydipsia or polyphagia.

Underlying Factors

The factors that underlie compulsive disorders in the cat are different from those in the dog. The cat is highly self-reliant and depends on its own ability to control and utilise resources in its environment. It experiences strong drives to hunt, feed and carry out self-maintenance behaviours at set intervals. Hunting, for example, is not primarily regulated by appetite or satiation so that cats will continue to hunt regardless of their earlier successes or failure. The cat’s normal behavior is therefore highly structured and self-disciplined. This reflects the fact that, in a given area, the territories of several cats may partially overlap so that each individual can gain access to certain common resources, or traverse corners of each other’s territory in order to get from place to place. The temporal structure of the cat’s behaviour, combined with its system of marking, allows each cat to exist in isolation from others, thus minimising conflict and maximising the cats ability to utilise resources on demand. Great reliance is placed on the reliability of access to resources.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors are therefore extraordinarily important in all feline behavioural problems, especially compulsive disorders. For the cat to live in an environment that places it in close proximity with potential competitors, inside or outside the home, and with limited control over access to resources and territory, can have a very damaging effect. Canine compulsive disorder is frequently rooted in social deprivation, isolation and the stress of broken psychological attachment [as seen in compulsive disorders linked to attachment disorders and long periods of barren kennelling]. Feline compulsive disorder is more commonly associated with a lack of ability to carry out normal behaviour, combined with the social stress of perpetual competition and conflict. Improvement of the physical and social environment is therefore critically important for cats with compulsive disorders. Even without a compulsive element, the cat is likely to increase the amount of self-maintenance behaviour it performs as a substitute for thwarted hunting behaviour and territory maintenance.

Breed Predisposition

There is some breed predisposition in the incidence of compulsive disorder, with Burmese, Siamese and other purebred oriental cats showing higher than normal rates of wool-sucking and self-mutilation. This may reflect a genetic component to the disorder, but it also has to be remembered that these cats are often reared and housed differently from ordinary housecats. Concerns over disease transmission mean that they are often reared in a ‘non-domestic’ situation, such as a cattery. This limits the exposure these animals have to social interaction and common domestic stimuli and events, which would seem to predispose them to a range of fear and anxiety problems. As adults, their financial value means that they are less likely to have outdoor access, which places even greater pressure on the cats if the indoor environment is unsuitable for them. The same breeds also have a higher predisposition to urine marking, inter-cat aggression and attachment disorders. Whilst these cats may have some genetic predisposition towards a range of problems, their rearing and husbandry is probably a significant factor. Client advice about improving the indoor and outdoor environment is included on handouts in the appendix.

Treatment/Intervention

Early intervention is very important in compulsive disorder. As discussed in the canine compulsions chapter, compulsive behaviour becomes more pervasive over time as the animal ‘learns’ that performing compulsive behaviour provides reliable relief from negative emotional situations. Compulsive behaviour can ultimately become a substitute for a wide range of normal behaviour so that, even when presented with a substantially-improved environment, the cat continues to behave compulsively.

The use of medication for these conditions is sometimes controversial because it may be regarded as merely reducing the incidence of unsightly behaviour that is an expression of the animal’s attempts to cope with wholly-unsatisfactory living conditions. This criticism could fairly be levelled at the medication of wild felids that continue to be poorly-maintained in some zoos or circuses. However, the use of medication is absolutely justifiable if it enables the animal to engage in normal behaviour in an enriched environment, when otherwise it might continue to stereotype. In this situation, the drug is being used to facilitate rehabilitation. This is the model we should adopt for domestic cats: drugs are most useful where their use will enhance the animal’s response to environmental improvement.

Punishment of compulsive behaviour, or attempts to physically prevent it, are misguided. Compulsive behaviour forms part of the animal’s coping strategy so that preventing one expression of compulsion just forces the animal to find other opportunities. For example, using flavour or odour aversion to deter pica related to one type of material, such as wool, will merely encourage the cat to find something else to suck or chew instead. The motivation to carry out some kind of related compulsive behaviour remains. Punishment may increase stress that contributes to the problem.

Common Feline Compulsive Disorders

Hyperaesthesia
Psychogenic alopecia [over-grooming]
Self-mutilation
Pica
Wool-sucking

Preventing Compulsive Disorders

Kittens should be exposed to a wide range of stimuli during the sensitive period [people, domestic activities, interaction with other species].
The domestic environment should provide security, mental stimulation and free access to resources. This is particularly important for indoor-only cats.
Avoid overpopulation, especially with oriental breed cats.
If establishing a multi cat household, choose kittens from parents that already live in successful multi-cat households.